Bunny Love and Happy Birthday Tilghman

This is probably a little bit out there, but with the upcoming Easter holiday and all the bunnies around, I thought I'd introduce you to Leaping Bunny.

The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) is comprised of numerous organizations across the globe to help consumers make more informed decisions when purchasing household products, like cosmetics. The whole "cruelty free" piece can be rather misleading. Does a company use someone else to "do their dirty work" or are they committed to truly being cruelty free?

The CCIC has the most comprehensive pledge I've seen and their website has opened the door for me to all kinds of great products, be it great skincare lines, makeup, or cleaning products. Another bonus? Most of these are environmentally friendly in other ways, making use of natural materials and minimizing their carbon footprint.

Some examples? (click on the logos to go directly to their website)

The Good Home Co.

Click HERE for a complete shopping guide. No lecture or horror stories -- just please don't be a Kelly (yes, that's a Real Housewives of NYC reference) and blindly believe that human consumption and animal suffering are always mutually exclusive.

And I would be remiss if I did not wish a Happy Birthday to my baby boy, Tilghman (aka Tillie). Apologies for the terrible camera phone picture, but it so perfectly captures him and his naughtiness. Tilghman turns 6 today and we are blessed to have had him join our family nearly 4 years ago.

Yes, that is a toilet paper roll he stole from the downstair's bath trashbin. Oh but he's a cutie.

-Emmie

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It's a Brand New Day!

Great quote: Every sixty seconds you spend angry, upset or mad, is a full minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Good morning! I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Mr. Southern and I got a bit of gardening accomplished- mostly weeding, admittedly, but rather cathartic! Madison, our youngest furbaby, tossed up Daddy's sock that she apparently had eaten last week when Mommy was out of town. Of course, we thought the culprit was Tilghman! (sorry, that is probably TMI). Needless to say, she is feeling much better and is now getting along fine with foster dog Kaylee.

Speaking of dogs, last week we attended a fundraiser for the Atlanta Humane Society, hosted by the fine folks at Sweetwater Brewing. We got to meet Lemonhead, an incredibly sweet Staffordshire Terrier rescued from a dog-fighting ring in Atlanta. After socializing (and after I-nicely- finished grilling of one of the directors), we had a tour of the facility.
Friday night, Habersham hosted another Garden Party with a few tasty snacks and wine. Few things better than sipping wine in the garden.
It's no secret that I would replace all of the grass in our backyard with gardens and pathways if Mr. Southern would allow me and Habersham is just the place for inspiration (I also posted about them last Fall).

Honestly, not to knock anyway, but how many garden centers have staging like this?

Not to mention their fabulous indoor spaces, a respite from the chilling temps, featuring items that look equally great indoors as out.

Love this little guy...This little house was too expensive for my taste (well over $200!) but oh so cute.


This little bunny would be a welcome visitor in any garden... and just in time for Easter.



LOVE the look of these edibles.

And as we did last fall, we finished up at Alfredo's, a great old-school Italian place.


Have a fabulous week!!

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Meet Kaylee

This little girl is about as goofy as they come and the smallest dog we've had in our house since fostering puppies. She desperately wants to play with our dogs and is anxious to give us kisses as often as possible. Sadly, she has kennel cough, so she also sounds a bit like a Canada Goose honking.

I've gone back and forth on some clever way to introduce you to Kaylee- but I think just the real story is fine. I was volunteering at an elementary school in need (that will be another post, someday) in one of the poorer areas of Atlanta. And not really the safest. Based on research I've since done, with 100 being the US national average, this area has a total crime risk of 224, murder risk of 350 and robbery risk of 315. The kids need support.

As I left the school, I saw a little dog dart across the road, following a car, trying desperately to jump in the window of the vehicle. My heart sank- I just couldn't drive away. I spoke with the woman driving the car and after a brief exchange, she asked if I'd find the dog a home. I said I'd try.

The dog was scared of me, but friendly towards to the woman, so she helped me get her up into my car. I took the dog to the vet, made sure she wasn't currently feeding puppies, got her vetted, and on the advice of my vet, took her to the animal shelter (in Atlanta, lost dogs should be taken to the shelter to give their legal owners 7 days to claim them. I thank the folks at the Fulton County Animal Shelter... I could never do what they do each day.).

I signed as her "last contact" (i.e., call me before you put her to sleep) and began to look for rescue groups that would allow her into the program. I finally found one and a week later, freed her from the pound (where she got kennel cough despite her shots!).

So we're now fostering a 2ish (I think she's more like 1) recently spayed little girl. While we'll never know what her first year(s) were like, she seems extremely grateful to us.

Unfortunately for Kaylee, her breed (or at least one of the breeds that she has in her) is misunderstood by people throughout not just Atlanta, but the whole United States (and probably world). You see, Kaylee is part Pit Bull (which is not actually a breed, but rather a description of several types of breeds). And honestly, I knew that when I picked her up. And I wanted to make sure that she never learned (or saw again) abuse either from an owner, dogfighting, whatever.

So this Southern Housewife, with the amazing support from her husband, went from fostering Golden Retrievers to a Pittie mix.

I admit that I'm hesitant to mention at all what she is- for I know all the stereotypes. Kaylee, however, does not. But I think that's how we can add value. I can teach this little girl all the right doggie behaviors, use positive reinforcement, and have her be a great advocate for her breed- with Kaylee just being Kaylee. Yep, there are some "bad Pit Bulls" out there. And there are "bad" labs, or "bad" dobermans, and even "bad" Goldens. Some has to do with how they were raised. Some, just bad breeding. But it's amazing what great training can do in many circumstances. (check out the happier endings of some of Vick's dogs at Best Friends Animal Society. The videos will move you to happy tears!)

Kaylee is available for adoption through Rescue Me! Animal Project. Oh- and have to share some previous Pittie owners (you'd be in good company)- Helen Keller, Thomas Edison, Fred Astaire, Humphrey Bogart, President Teddy Roosevelt, and President Woodrow Wilson. For more information on some of terrier breeds, visit Pit Bull Rescue Central.

And one final clarification. I mention where I got Kaylee because I was admittedly uneasy there and full of my own stereotypes (thinking Kaylee could be used for bait). But there are plenty of folks living in lower-income housing who love their pets and take great care of them. And there are plenty of upper-income people who do NOT take care of their pets, despite their vast resources. A few days later, I saw a dog running through our neighborhood without a collar, clearly un-neutered, and looking to be a pit mix. I tried to pick him up too (I know, I know) but he was too skiddish.

-Emmie

READ MORE - Meet Kaylee

Chanel Gets Her Forever Home

I've blogged about Chanel in the past and had to share with you the great news! Chanel has found her forever home.

She will live in the North Georgia mountains with her new mommies who love her very much (she was the only dog they wanted to meet!)

We actually were in Hawaii when the initial meeting took place- but I saw these pictures and knew we had found the right home.

Meeting her mommies and new sister, Ginger, for the first time. Look at that smile!

Relaxing in our backyard

Saying goodbye to my girl

We will absolutely miss her but feel so blessed to have helped this little girl. She went from living in a crate 24/7 birthing babies to living the lovely life she deserves.

I don't often do public service announcements, but this one is important. Please please don't ever buy a dog from a store. You may think you're rescuing that doggy in the window, but you're really supporting a horrendous industry. Learn more at Stop Puppy Mills.org.

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Introducing Chanel...

Meet Chanel, the newest temporary member of our household.  Really, I think she's more of a Sophie or Sophia, but... I didn't get to select her name.  Anyway, this little girl is a rescue from a Missouri puppy mill.  Her breeding days are over and we're trying to teach her how to develop her own Southern Aspirations.  Little Madison is in charge.  Tilghman, who has a few insecurity issues of his own, is not sure what to think about Miss Chanel.  Since she's not a tennis ball, Samantha has no interest.

Chanel and I had a very exciting little adventure yesterday. As I opened the gate slightly to put a dying potted plant out of the dogs' reach, she darted through the door.   In a state of panic, I chased her throughout our neighborhood.  I visited all sorts of backyards, a rock-bed ravine I never knew we had, encountered more Kudzu than I ever thought possible, and lots of thorny sticky bushes.  Of course, I was running in flip-flops.  Peachtree not looking so bad now.  To my dear neighbors, I profusely apologize if we trampled any of your bushes. 

The challenge is that she is still scared of people... and my chasing after her certainly did not help alleviate that fear.  After about 20 minutes of running up and down pine tree needle-laden hills, rocky terrain, and through lots of underbrush, we met up.  We were both pretty tired. Lesson of the day- never open the gate without establishing exactly where all dogs are.  

More pictures to come- she is pretty camera-shy right now- but is so cute!  Oh, almost forgot my plug.  Chanel, as well as lots of other Goldens, are available for adoption at Adopt A Golden Atlanta.

Here's to calmer weekend adventures for all of us,

Emmie

READ MORE - Introducing Chanel...

Gone to the Dogs

I'm inspired to dedicate a post to my "kids," Samantha, Tilghman, and Madison.  They have added to much joy to our lives- I cannot imagine life without them!  Here are several resources that I enjoy- specifically for the dogs or from people who love dogs.

Stray Dog Designs, inspired by the couple's adopted stray dog in Mexico, offers super cute furniture, lighting, and home accessories.  I believe that most (if not all) items are made from recycled materials in Mexico or Haiti.  A portion of all proceeds goes to support selected charities, including the Sociedad Protectura de Animales in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Method, the clean people, do a great job of offering environmentally responsible and animal-friendly cleaning products.  They've recently introduced an all-purpose dilutable cleaner, which promises to be safe for pets, $4.  Because you know your dog is going to eat off the floor if given the opportunity- it's nice to know he/she isn't also licking up a bunch of toxins.

Doctor Fosters and Smith Skinny Toys, $6.99.  Made without stuffing- perfect for those stuffed-animal hunters intent on destroying... and ingesting...regular stuffed toys (Tilghman eats everything).  I also highly recommend their "Grunter" series- our dogs haven't destroyed the moose yet!  This site is also a great source for things like reasonably-priced leashes and collars, as well as other necessities like ear cleaners.

 

For more designer leashes (like the Lilly Pulitzer ones shown above), charms, beds, or even life vests, In the Company of Dogs has some great items for pets and their people.

 

I visit FreeKibble daily- it's a website started by 12-year old Mimi Ausland, featuring daily trivia questions for Dogs and Cats.  For each click/visit, Castor and Pollux will donate 10 pieces of kibble to animal shelters.  Though it may not seem like a lot, it adds up!  

Though I've not purchased any crate covers yet, Doghouse Covers has some great-looking slipcovers for crates, $30-$55. For those who can sew, I'd think this would be a great project! For those of us who cannot, Doghouse Covers has some super cute and affordable options. Based in Charleston, SC, the company also supports animal charities (yay!)

I've never used this new airline, but I love the concept.  A pet-only airline, where pets fly in the main cabin.  Potty breaks before boarding, a pet attendant who checks on them every 15 minutes while en route, and pet lounges at departing/arriving airports.  Intro rate of $149.

Last, but certainly not least, I have to put in a plug for other furbabies needing a good home. Petfinder is a great source for adopting an animal!  Lots of organizations are on there- including the places where we got our kids.  

Samantha-Fluvana SPCA (outside of Charlottesville, VA), 

Madison- Retrieve a Golden Atlanta (Minnesota area), and Tilghman- Adopt a Golden Atlanta (Atlanta, Georgia).

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